Bulk handling device operating coupling

ABSTRACT

The subject of the invention is an operating coupling for controlling the operation of the gripping devices ( 4,5 ) of a loader harvester bulk handling device. In the operating coupling according to the invention, the coupling of the valve ( 18 ) with the operating device of the loader harvester&#39;s cross-cutting device, and with the tilting mechanism of the tilting frame, is arranged to operate in conjunction with the cutting device and felling so that the gripping devices ( 4  and  5 ) are normally in the closed position. The gripping devices are arranged, at least in the felling position, to always open when the guide bar or equivalent cutting device is operating or when the harvester head turns to the delimbing position, and to close immediately after the operation in question.

[0001] The subject of the invention is an operating coupling for controlling the operation of the gripping devices of a grapple harvester bulk handling device.

[0002] The bulk handling device makes possible the procsssing of several tree trunks simultaneously. Bulk handling can improve the efficiency of harvesting thinning trees and thereby getting better thinning trees to the factory. At the same time the remaining trees make better progress in attaining lumber dimensions.

[0003] The harvester control equipment is very complicated and the car has to make many decisions in a short time period. The more simply a function occurs the more operator time is saved for the important decision of selection and removing the tree.

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to introduce the kind of operating coupling for the bulk handling device where the commands controlling the functions of this device are arranged to take place automatically without specific actions by the operator.

[0005] The purpose of the invention is achieved with a coupling that possesses the characteristics presented in the appended claims.

[0006] In the coupling according to the invention, the valve controlling the operating device is connected to the operating device of the loader harvester's cross-cutting device, and to the tilting mechanism of the tilting-frame, and is arranged to operate in conjunction with the cutting device and felling so that the gripping devices are normally in the closed position. The gripping devices are arranged, at least in the felling positon, to always open when the guide bar or equivalent cutting device is operating or when the harvester head turns to the dellmbing position, and to close immediately after the operation in question. In the operating coupling of this kind of bulk handling device, the cutting and felling operations control directly and automatically the opening and closing of the gripping devices without any special action by the operator.

[0007] In the advantageous arrangement according to the invention, the operating coupling includes a switch connected to the gripping devices with which the gripping devices can be mechanically moved into the open position. Where necessary, it is possible to intervene in their operation by opening the gripping devices by a manual operation. It is also possible to completely switch off the opening of the gripping devices when, for example, on a final felling site bulk handling is not utilised at all.

[0008] In the advantageous arrangement according to the invention, the operating coupling includes a warning light in the control cabin, or an equivalent signal on the display, which indicate when the bulk handling device is switched on. In this way the operator is always aware of the operational status of the bulk handling device.

[0009] The most important advantage of the invention is that the operator is freed to carry out the actual thinning and threshing work. Automated operation does not consume working time since it is carried out simultaneously alongside other necessary operations. In addition, erroneous operations are avoided: it protects the guide bar (the tree does not slip onto it) and the tree does not fall prematurely.

[0010] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the attached illustrations, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a harvester, viewed from the side, and

[0012]FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically an electro-hydraulic operating coupling for a bulk handling device according to FIG. 1.

[0013] A harvester is shown in figure 1 with a bulk handling device 1 attached to it. In the figure are also numbered the essential parts in the control and operation of the bulk handling device, such as the rotator 2 and tilting arm 3, between which the bulk handling device in this arrangement is attached, the cutting device 12, delimbing devices 8, 9, 10, feeder 11 and the cylinder 23. The bulk handling device 1 is underneath the rotator 2 on top of the tilting arm 3. The bulk handling device includes the gripping devices 4 and 5, which are equipped with points 6 and 7, which are bent in towards the centre. The points are constructed so that they pass from under a new tree trunk to on top of the trunk then grip the trunk so that it holds in place. It should be noted that the gripping devices are show in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the open position for clarity, although they are normally in their closed position.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows only the essential part of an electro-hydraulic control diagram with respect to the bulk handling coupling. The figure shows the principle interdependence of the bulk handling device 1, the tilting arm 3 and the cutter 12.

[0015] In the starting position, the gripping devices 4 and 5 are closed. When bulk handling is selected with the switch 13, the impulse relay 14 connects the current to the alternating point relay 15. This relay is controlled directly by the control commands which, strengthened by this relay, come from a cutter switch 16 and the tilting frame felling switch 17. When the impulse relay 14 is drawing, the lamp 26 lights up. When the cutting switch 16 is pressed, the valve 21 is connected and the cuter motor 22 starts to rotate. If the tilting frame is in the felling position, the relay 28 is drawing and the control information passes through the diode 25 to the relay 15. When the tilting frame cylinder 23 is released with the felling button 17, the control information passes through both the felling valve 20 and the diode 29 to the control of the bulk handling device. The switch 24 can also be used if necessary, for example, in the event of a disorder, to mechanically open the gripping devices 4 and 5.

[0016] When the harvester is in the position shown in FIG. 1 (and the relay 28 is drawing), the operator guides the grab next to the selected tree. The device then grips the tree with the grab's feeder 11 and delimbing devices 9 and 10. To cut the tree the operator presses the cutting button 16 and the relay 15 connects the current to the hydraulic valve 18 which makes the hydraulic cylinder 19 move inwards so that the gripping devices 4 and 5 open. They close again immediately once the sawing has finished. The points 6 and 7 of the gripping devices have then risen from under the selected tree to on top of it. The operator can now transfer the grab directly to the next tree to be taken. The grab is still in the vertical position. The next tree is handled in the same manner as the previous one. When the operator has gathered in this way a suitable number of trees in the grab, he releases the grab into the threshing position by pressing the felling button 17, at which point the gripping devices 4 and 5 open momentarily, simultaneous with the release of the tilting trunk and in this way the tree bundle is turned into the processing position.

[0017] The aforementioned presents only one of the advantageous arrangements of the invention. Electronics and various programmed logics offer numerous possible arrangements of the invention. The invention is not therefore limited to the attached simplified operating manner rather many variations are possible within the framework of the invention concept formed by the claims. 

1. An operating coupling for controlling the operation of the gripping devices (4, 5) of a loader harvester bulk handling device, characterised in that the coupling of the valve (18) with the operating device of the loader harvester's cross-cutting device, and with the tilting mechanism of the tilting frame, is arranged to operate in conjunction with the cutting device and felling so that the gripping devices are normally in the closed position. The gripping devices are arranged, at least in the felling position, to always open when the guide bar or equivalent cutting device is operating or when the harvester head turns to the delimbing position, and to close immediately after the operation in question.
 2. An operating coupling according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling includes a switch (24) connected to the gripping device (4, 5) with which the gripping devices can be mechanically moved into the open position.
 3. An operating coupling according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling includes a warning lamp (26) or a signal an the display which is arranged to indicate the operating status of the bulk handling device. 